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Philip Rivers threw three touchdown passes and LaDainian
Tomlinson ran for another as the Chargers routed the Raiders,
34-7, on Thursday to snap a three-game losing streak and keep
their slim playoff chances alive.

The win was San Diego's 11th straight over Oakland, and moved
the Chargers (5-8) within 2 1/2 games of the AFC West
division-leading Denver Broncos (7-5) with three games remaining
for San Diego, including a matchup with the Broncos at Qualcomm
Stadium in the regular-season finale on December 28.

"Regardless of what happens with Denver, which we can't control,
we're going to keep playing hard," Rivers said. "We're going to
keep playing with the same intensity and the same passion. We
haven't needed a win this bad in a while. It was good to get a
win and keep the shot alive of playing in January."

After struggling on both sides of ball four days prior in a
22-16 loss to Atlanta, San Diego got off to a fast start.

Following a 20-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding on the Chargers'
first possession, Shaun Phillips forced a fumble by Raiders
quarterback JaMarcus Russell and the Chargers capitalized when
Tomlinson ran the ball into the end zone from three yards out
for a 10-0 lead with 8:43 remaining in the first.

The touchdown was the 21st career for the former league MVP
against Oakland, the most by an NFL player against any single
opponent through 16 contests.

"It's always fun playing (Oakland)," Tomlinson said. "We match
up well against them. We had a great gameplan, and I think we
executed the gameplan as well as we have all year, on both sides
of the ball."

San Diego never looked back as Rivers tossed three touchdown
passes, highlighted by the 59-yard strike to Vincent Jackson
that padded the advantage to 24-0 with 9:02 left in the second
quarter.

"We're not close, and it's clear that we're not close," Raiders
cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "We don't play good football;
we don't play sound football. We wonder why we don't get the
prime-time games, and this is why. You just wonder how many
people care and how many people are upset."

The 26-year-old Rivers completed just 10-of-22 passes but
amassed 214 yards and three touchdowns.

Jackson caught five balls for a career-high 148 yards and a
touchdown.

"Sunday was obviously a difficult loss and a short week,"
Chargers head coach Norv Turner said. "Obviously, our guys did
a great job preparing. They came out and played tonight and
played the way we're capable of playing."

Russell turned the ball over twice more - both times on
interceptions by Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper - and
Russell was knocked out of the game with a right ankle injury
during the second interception return.

The second-year pro Russell was carted off the field and did not
return, finishing 9-for-13 for 68 yards and two interceptions.
Post-game x-rays were negative on Russell's sprained ankle.

"Obviously, the three turnovers were too big a deficit for us to
overcome," Raiders head coach Tom Cable said. "We really
struggled on third down offensively, and I thought that was kind
of the tale of the game. We just got behind by too much early,
and we could never ever dig our way out."

Andrew Walter replaced Russell and went 8-of-17 passing for 61
yards.

"I'm sick of losing, especially like that," Raiders tight end
Zach Miller said. "We never really got going on offense, and
when we did, we kept moving the ball and then penalties killed
us. As an offense, we were inept today."

Oakland's lone score came on a 92-yard kickoff return by Justin
Miller just prior to the end of the first half.

Justin Fargas rushed 12 times for 50 yards and Darren McFadden
had one carry for no yards.